Tuesday, 25th November, 2025

Tuesday, 25^thNovember, 2025

The House met at 1430 hours

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

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ANNOUNCEMENTS BY MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER

ACTING LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS IN THE HOUSE

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I have received communication to the effect that in the absence of Her Honour the Vice-President, who is attending to other Government business, the Minister of Defence, Hon. Ambrose Lufuma, MP, has been appointed Acting Leader of Government Business in the House from today, Tuesday, 25^th November, 2025, until further notice.

Thank you.

DELEGATION FROM THE PARLIAMENT OF GHANA

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence in the Speaker’s Gallery of the following members of staff from the Parliament of Ghana:

Ms Sabrah Yahaya - Deputy Director, and

Leader of the Delegation

Ms Ruby Yaa Korantiwaa Akae - Deputy Director

Ms Christabel Gyamera-Tawiah - Assistant Director I

Ms Dinah Hammond - Assistant Administrative Secretary I

Ms Elorm Gbadrive - Assistant Clerk II

Mr Ernest Darkwah - Assistant Director II A

Ms Rebecca Aduamah - Assistant Director II A

Ms Edith Boaduwaa Anto - Assistant Director II A

Ms Mary Janice Bawa - Assistant Director II

Ms Esther Esinam Degboe - Assistant Librarian III

On behalf of the National Assembly of Zambia, I wish to receive the guests and warmly welcome them into our midst.

Thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Interruptions

Mr J. Chibuye: You are a great man!

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

Mr Nkandu: Very dangerous!

Laughter

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING FOR THE COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION ZAMBIA BRANCH

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I wish to inform the House that the annual general meeting (AGM) for the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Zambia Branch will be held on Wednesday, 3^rd December, 2025, at 0900 hours, in the Amphitheatre, at Parliament Buildings.

The CPA AGM will coincide with the presentation of the Parliamentarians' annual awards in four categories, namely:

the Robinson Nabulyato Award – Outstanding Parliamentarian of the Year by Province;

the Nelly Mutti Award – Outstanding Woman Member of Parliament (MP) of the Year;

the Amusaa Mwanamwambwa Award – Outstanding MP of the Year by the Public; and

the Wesley Nyirenda Award – Outstanding Youth MP of the Year.

Mr Kafwaya: Question!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: All hon. Members are, therefore, urged to attend and participate effectively in the AGM.

Thank you.

RULING

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I wish to inform the House that a Ruling will be delivered at a later stage during today’s proceedings, not immediately after announcements, as indicated on the Order Paper. This decision is supported by Order No. 61(1) of the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders, 2024, which provides that:

“The House shall dispose of Business in the order it appears on the Order Paper or in such other order as the Speaker may, for the convenience of the House, direct.”

Thank you.

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URGENT MATTERS WITHOUT NOTICE

MR KANG’OMBE, HON. MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR KAMFINSA, ON THE ACTING LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS IN THE HOUSE, MR LUFUMA, ON THE PROTEST BY WILDLIFE OFFICERS

Mr Kang’ombe (Kamfinsa): On an Urgent Matter without Notice, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: An Urgent Matter without Notice is raised.

Mr Kang’ombe: Madam Speaker, thank you for giving me this opportunity to direct a matter to the Acting Leader of Government Business in the House, considering that I cannot see the hon. Minister of Tourism to whom I would have directed it.

Madam Speaker, over the last two days, we have witnessed workers of the State, the wildlife officers, protesting and demanding for better conditions of service. I raise this matter because the officers in question are supposed to be helping the country provide the necessary support to in the game management areas (GMAs). For the benefit of those following this matter, the country has about thirty-six GMAs. One of the key components of managing the areas is having wildlife police officers present at every moment. Unfortunately, these key personnel have not been available, as they have been complaining and demanding for better conditions of service. Considering the sensitivity of the work that they do, I think this is an urgent matter that requires the Government's intervention to ensure the GMAs are well policed, and that this sensitive matter relating to the conditions of services is dealt with.

Madam Speaker, is the Acting Leader of Government Business in the House in order to not assure the people stationed in those localities that the Government is resolving this problem?

Otherwise, if these GMAs are left unattended, we might have a serious crisis, which I believe you are already aware of, because hon. Members of Parliament from these areas have been complaining that there has been a challenge of people coming into conflict with animals.

Madam Speaker, I seek your indulgence.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Kamfinsa, you can file in an urgent question.

REV. KATUTA, HON. MEMBER FOR CHIENGE, ON THE HON. MINISTER OF DEFENCE AND ACTING LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS IN THE HOUSE, MR LUFUMA, ON THE FOOD RESERVE AGENCY’S FAILURE TO PAY FARMERS

Rev. Katuta (Chienge): On an Urgent Matter without Notice, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: An Urgent Matter without Notice is raised.

Rev. Katuta: Madam Speaker, thank you for giving me this opportunity, on behalf of the people of Chienge, to raise an Urgent Matter without Notice.

Madam Speaker, today is 25^th November, 2025, and we have been blessed with abundant rainfall. I am directing my Urgent Matter without Notice to the Leader of Government Business in the House because I have seen that Hon. Mtolo is not in the House.

Madam Speaker, the people of Chienge supplied maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA). As we speak, I think, only a quarter have been paid for the maize which was collected by the FRA. How do we expect our people to till the land and produce according to the statistics that I heard the President talk about? As of now, the people in Chienge cannot buy fertiliser or other items because the Government is still owing them. What is the Government doing to ensure that all the farmers who supplied maize to the FRA are paid at least by tomorrow?

Madam Speaker, I need your indulgence.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Chienge, I think, it must have been a week ago, when a Ministerial Statement was issued by the hon. Minister of Agriculture on payments of farmers. Maybe, you were not in the House at the time. According to the rules, we cannot repeat the same matter within the same period. So, because of that, hon. Member for Chienge, I cannot ask the hon. Minister to repeat the same statement. I advise that you find another platform so that you can be attended to because that is a very important issue, or engage the hon. Minister of Agriculture.

MR KANDAFULA, HON. MEMBER FOR SERENJE, ON THE HON. MINISTER OF DEFENCE AND ACTING LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS IN THE HOUSE, MR LUFUMA, ON EXPENSES INCURRED TO OBTAIN ORDERS OF APPOINTMENT FROM THE HIGH COURT

Mr Kandafula (Serenje): On an Urgent Matter without Notice, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: An Urgent Matter without Notice is raised.

Mr Kandafula: Thank you, Madam Speaker, for allowing me, on behalf of the people of Serenje, to raise an Urgent Matter without Notice, which was supposed to be directed at the hon. Minister of Agriculture. In his absence, I will direct it at the Acting Leader of Government Business in the House.

Madam Speaker, the matter is similar to what the hon. Member for Chienge raised, except it is in another dimension. It is related to those farmers who supplied maize, but unfortunately due to nature, are no more.

Madam Speaker, people are being asked to travel long distances to obtain the orders of appointments from the High Court, which is quite expensive, in terms of the expenses incurred for travel and accommodation. What interventions can be put in place to help those people who travel all the way from Serenje to obtain orders of appointment, and probably even those in other towns, who might be experiencing the same problem?

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Which people are travelling, hon. Member?

Mr Kandafula: Madam Speaker, some of the people who supplied maize to the FRA died, and that is why I said they are no more. So, for their administrators to get orders of appointment, they have to go to the High Court. For example, those in Chitambo or Serenje have to go to Kabwe. A farmer may have supplied maize to the FRA worth K5,000, and then the administrator will have to spend K6,000 to get the order of appointment.

Mr Lihefu: Even in Manyinga.

Mr Kandafula: Yes, even in Manyinga. I think, it is almost the whole country.

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I do not know if the question is specific to Serenje. However, hon. Member for Serenje, I think that can come in form of a question directed to Her Honour Vice-President so that we can hear how many people are in that situation. Please, file in a question.

We make progress.

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MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

THE STATUS OF THE K1 MILLION CONTRIBUTION FROM THE CONSTITUENCY DEVELOPMENT FUND (CDF) TOWARDS THE RURAL ELECTRIFICATION PROGRAMME

The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development (Mr Sialubalo): Madam Speaker, I am grateful for this opportunity given to me to update the nation through this august House on the implementation status of the K1 million contribution from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) towards the Rural Electrification Programme in the respective constituencies.

Madam Speaker, the K1 million is meant to be applied towards the electrification of projects for the identified public institutions of critical social and economic importance in both rural and peri-urban areas, as determined by the local authorities.

Madam Speaker, in order to facilitate the implementation of these projects, the Ministry of Energy, in consultation with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, assigned the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) with the responsibility of signing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the local authorities across all 156 constituencies, as they are the custodians of the CDF. The purpose of these MoUs was to formalise collaboration between local authorities and REA, and to define the roles and responsibilities of each party in executing rural electrification projects funded by the CDF.

Madam Speaker, hon. Members of this House may wish to note that the role of REA as stated in the MoUs, is to offer technical assistance, including project planning, project costing, tender document preparation and project supervision, whereas local authorities are responsible for the selection of the CDF projects, project procurement, financing and implementation of the projects within their constituencies.

Madam Speaker, I wish to take this opportunity to clarify on the Floor of this august House that the K1 million CDF allocation for electrification projects is not paid to REA but retained and managed by the Ministry of Local Government and the Rural Development, of course, through the local authorities.

I wish to report to this august House that as of 31^st October, 2025, REA had successfully signed all 156 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with local authorities under the partnership. Consequently, REA received a total of 376 priority REA project sites submitted by the local authorities. These projects were subjected to a desk review to assess their technical feasibility for grid extension, solar mini- grids and high-powered solar home systems. Following the review, eleven of the submitted projects did not qualify for on-site technical assessments due to submissions of privately-owned facilities, which is contrary to the CDF guidelines which prioritise public infrastructure. Furthermore, thirty projects were found to be part of the 2023 and 2024 REA work plan and budget, of which twelve have been completed, while eighteen are currently under implementation.

Madam Speaker, by 31^st October, 2025, REA had completed feasibility studies for 218 sites, while 117 sites remain, pending on-site technical assessments. Of the 218 assessments, 113 projects were fully packaged and submitted to the respective local authorities for procurement of contractors. In addition, forty-five of the 113 packaged projects had progressed to the evaluation stage, resulting in thirty-two projects successfully completing the procurement process. I am pleased to report that twenty-two projects are currently under implementation and ten projects comprising one grid extension and nine solar installations have been completed and technically commissioned. The completed projects are located in Solwezi West, Rufunsa, Lumezi and Chililabombwe Parliamentary Constituencies.

Madam Speaker, the CDF presents a great opportunity for local development, but the implementation process is not devoid of challenges that impede smooth implementation. With regard to the implementation of the rural electrification programme through the CDF, the major challenge experienced is attributed to the fact that electrification in some constituencies demands much more than K1 million, given the high cost of energy infrastructure projects, and because of competing needs, constituencies were unable to allocate more than K1 million. Therefore, electrification projects could not be implemented.

Madam Speaker, to address that challenge, REA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, is considering implementation of bulk procurement for solar systems. The systems will be installed in public facilities across all the 127 constituencies that have not yet utilised their 2023/2024 CDF allocation of K1 million. Under this intervention, at least five public facilities in each constituency will be electrified using solar energy. Through this effort, and with hon. Members of Parliament, the Government is proactively accelerating the electrification agenda to ensure that communities across Zambia derive tangible and sustainable benefits from the rural electrification programme.

As I conclude, Madam Speaker, allow me to take this opportunity to thank hon. Members of Parliament for their continued oversight and support regarding the implementation of the rural electrification programme. I urge hon. Members to continue working closely with communities in determining the best approach to electrify rural areas and uplift the lives of our people out there.

Madam Speaker, additional information has been provided in all the hon. Members’ pigeonholes on the cost of the rural electrification technology, as well as the status of the 376 priority rural electrification projects.

Madam Speaker, I thank you so much, and I urge hon. Members of Parliament to go through the information put in the pigeonholes so that they cross-check the areas that we intend to electrify as we do the bulk buying for the 127 constituencies that have never utilised their previous CDF allocations.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members are now free to ask questions on points of clarification on the Ministerial Statement presented by the hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development.

Mr Mutale (Chitambo): Madam Speaker, I just want to know where the challenge is because the hon. Minister’s explanation today seems to suggest that the money was not paid to the Rural Electrification Authority (REA); it is at the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development. That being the case, I would like to know whether the hon. Minister has written a memorandum to local councils for them to take the matter to the Constituency Development Fund Committees (CDFCs) so that the money can be re-allocated. We are being told that since the money is from the Central Government, it is used by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development. Is that the case?

Mr Sialubalo: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Chitambo for that follow-up question.

Madam Speaker, if he got me correctly, he would have known that I said that the MoU was between the local authorities and REA. So, I will give the example of Chililabombwe and other constituencies which utilised the CDF. Basically, the resources are for constituencies. So, the moment a constituency identifies where resources should go, it has to inform REA because the agreement is between the two institutions. Our job as a ministry is just to send the resources to local authorities. A constituency has to identify a project to spend the K1 million meant for electrification projects. It is incumbent upon local authorities to realise that they signed an MoU. What is happening is that constituencies are not identifying the areas where resources should go. Basically, it should not be a top-bottom process. It should be a bottom-up process because the MoU was between the local authorities and REA, not the ministry. We are just a conveyor belt of resources from the Ministry of Finance and National Planning to local authorities.

Madam Speaker, like I said, we have realised that local authorities have competing needs. When we release money to local authorities, we do not say that a certain amount should be for REA projects. The money is for the projects that communities have applied for and wish to undertake at a particular time. As a ministry, since we have realised that local authorities have not prioritised electrification projects despite having signed an MoU with REA, we are taking it upon ourselves to say, “Please, hon. Members of Parliament, together with the CDF Committees, help us to identify the areas to spend the K1 million on because the period has been too long since councils signed the MoU with REA.” Basically, the onus is upon the CDF Committees to realise that there was an agreement signed and, therefore, they have to use the money allocated for electrification projects. Since it has taken long for this to happen, as a ministry, we want to take up the matter and make sure that people benefit from the K1 million.

I thank you so much, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kampyongo (Shiwang’andu): Madam Speaker, I think that hon. Members have been taken aback because when we had a caucus in 2023 in the amphitheatre, the hon. Minister of Energy brought officials from the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) and that was not the discussion. I think, hon. Colleagues who attended that discussion will agree with me that we agreed that the money for electrification projects was going to be deducted at the source. We also agreed on the scope of works that were going to be undertaken in various constituencies. We also asked the question why the money allocated for each constituency was uniform, that is K1 million across the board. We were given an explanation. As hon. Members of Parliament, we are not the ones who suggested the amount. It was REA that proposed that amount. For the authority to get to our constituencies and implement grid extension programmes, it needed the money allocated for electrification projects to be deducted at the source.

Madam Speaker, we have been waiting for progress. That is why we have been asking questions. It is because that money was deducted in particular fiscal years from the source. So, I do not know how the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Committee is coming into the issue. The money was deducted, just like it was deducted for ambulances and police motor vehicles. The deduction was made and motor vehicles were bought and delivered. That was the mode that was going to be used. Now, it seems we are starting afresh. Probably, we need an engagement.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has just explained the part about the money, but the people who proposed the deduction were not from his ministry. They were colleagues from the Ministry of Energy. They are the ones who came up with that idea. We do now want to crucify the hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development because he is explaining as a person who administers the CDF. Those people – my hon. Colleague, the hon. Minister of darkness there, that is why he is even –

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: What is your question, hon. Member for Shiwang’andu?

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Shiwang’andu, what is your question?

Mr Kampyongo: Madam, when can we have a common position, which is going to give comfort to hon. Members because now positions are changing from the initial agreement that we had with the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) through the hon. Minister of Energy.

Laughter

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, we are all at sea here now, and I think that my hon. Colleagues will agree with me.

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Kampyongo: You were not there. You did not attend the

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, are you through with your question?

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, I am through with my question. We want to have a common understanding from the two ministries because they have just given the side of the money.

Mr Sialubalo: Madam Speaker, I want to thank the hon. Member for Shiwang’andu for the question.

Madam Speaker, what I have stated is the clear position. Yes, he has given examples of ambulances that were procured centrally. Of course, everyone was informed that such an amount had been deducted, and procurement was done centrally.

Madam Speaker, the other comforting aspect from the hon. Member of Parliament is that the local authorities from Shiwang’andu Constituency signed an agreement with the Rural Electrification Authority (REA). Basically, our duty was just to facilitate them to get into an agreement and not to deduct money at the source, no. It is now that we have realised that it has taken a long time.

Madam Speaker, out of the 156 constituencies, 127 have not yet utilised the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). So, we have decided to utilise the resources at the central position so that the benefits can go to the people. So, that is the clear position I have. There was nothing like the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development will procure everything and distribute it to the constituencies, no. It was basically to bring the local authorities and REA to have an agreement.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Rev. Katuta (Chienge): Madam Speaker, the money was deducted.

However, my concern is that the K1 million we are talking about in the first place is not even enough for a place like Chienge. Since the hon. Minister has said that there is information in our pigeonholes, I would like to find out if the ministry has already allocated the institutions which should be connected by the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) using the K1 million because it sounds like the K1 million is just for one or two schools. So, I would like to find out what the ministry is taking, as a priority.

Mr Sialubalo: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for Chienge for the question.

Madam Speaker, the information in pigeonholes states that the grid extension cost per kilometre is estimated at K658,000, and then, the high-powered solar home system is K350,000.

Madam Speaker, for instance, if you go for high-powered solar home systems, one can do close to three in one K1 million. So, hon. Members of Parliament with their constituents are the ones who are supposed to identify the areas of need. Now, if we choose to go for solar mini-grids, it is estimated at K112,000. So, in K112,000, one can do more than five projects in a constituency. So, that is why I was saying that it is important for hon. Members to look at the tables of the sites that were sent to the ministry by local authorities and see whether they agree with the submissions from the local authorities. If they do not agree, they can make some changes. Basically, the people who should determine where or which project to be undertaken are the constituents.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Katakwe (Solwezi East): Madam Speaker, indeed, it seems we need more workshops and information sharing on this subject.

Madam Speaker, in my constituency, we had approached the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) to connect some schools under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), but the quotation from REA was far beyond the K1 Million we had. Then, we engaged ZESCO Limited for the grid extension with the K1 million so that they could electrify three schools and that was much cheaper. Now, with the information the hon. Minister has given us, we do not know which direction to go, whether with REA or with ZESCO Limited. Maybe, it would be important to engage both parties so that they can come up with a common ground when it comes to issues of quotation. May the hon. Minister comment on that.

Mr Sialubalo: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for Solwezi East for the question.

Madam Speaker, indeed, among the engagements the ministry has, it is currently dealing with REA. So, buying into his suggestion, the hon. Member is right to state that we also need to engage ZESCO Limited so that we can also look at the quotations and value whether ZESCO Limited can offer better deals when it comes to electrification of the rural areas. So far, I have stated is the information the ministry shares with the REA.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Zulu (Nyimba): Madam Speaker, let me first thank the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government for the 5 MW of power which they have given to Nyimba District. That is on a very positive note.

Madam Speaker, again, on a sad note, the people of Nyimba are crying that although the Government has given them electricity, they have been denied the opportunity to get National Registration Cards (NRCs). So, they are complaining.

Madam Speaker, is the K1 million which was deducted in 2023 going to be used for the procurement of electricity for selected areas or we are going to procure electricity using the K1 million for 2023, 2024 or 2025? Are we able to select more sites which can go up to K3 million, or is the Government just targeting the K1 million?

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, maybe, before the hon. Minister comes in, I heard something like the people of Nyimba have been denied an opportunity to get National Registration Cards (NRCs). How true is that since the exercise is ending tomorrow?

Mr Zulu: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security is my witness.

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, I think, you should have a discussion with the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security because the exercise is ending tomorrow.

Mr Zulu: How?

Mr Sialubalo: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member of Parliament for Nyimba for the question.

Madam Speaker, the statement you required from the hon. Minister of Energy and the hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development is on the K1million, which was deducted in 2023 and 2024. So, basically, the statement is just on the outstanding K1 million.

However, a constituency – Madam, the beauty about the UPND Government is that it gives resources for people to make decisions. So, if the hon. Member feels that he wants to electrify other areas in his constituency in 2025 and 2026, ZESCO Limited is there to provide the technical knowledge on whether the project can be undertaken within K2 million or K3 million. For now, let me stick to my lane; to the K1 million unlike going outside ZESCO Limited.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for the Ministerial Statement.

Madam Speaker, I have fifteen secondary schools in my constituency built by the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government.

Mr Andeleki: Hear, hear!

Mr Sing’ombe: However, the schools are not electrified. The hon. Minister has said that part of the information is in our pigeonholes. From the figures that he has given to us, K127 million has not been utilised. I wanted to know whether Dundumwezi is in the K127 million or in the K29 million which has been utilised? I want to know where I belong as the representative for Dundumwezi. Am I among the 127 who have not utilised, or the twenty-nine who have utilised the money? The former hon. Minister of Energy gave the constituency a big solar plant, which makes it difficult for me to follow because what has been connected is huge. The K1 million that we are talking about is a drop in the ocean. So, I just want to know where Dundumwezi lies so that I can pursue this money and connect the many schools that the United Party for National Development (UPND) has constructed in my constituency. Now, is my constituency among the twenty-nine or the 127?

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sialubalo: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Dundumwezi for that supplementary question. From the information that I have, Dundumwezi is among the 127 that have not utilised the money. The information that I would like to give to the people of Dundumwezi is that the K1 million cannot be used on more than six schools. So, if they have built six or fifteen schools, under the scope that the ministry has, that money cannot be used on more than six schools. So, there is K15 million. They still have money. In 2025, they will receive a lot of money under the Constituency development Fund (CDF). They will be able to plan or visit the Ministry of Energy so that the matter is addressed. So, let me stick to the K1 million threshold.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mutale: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mutale: Madam Speaker, when the hon. Member for Dundumwezi was applying his mind to the question that he asked, he mentioned that the K1 million is just a drop in the ocean. Those words do not sound right to the people of Chitambo. Through your office, Madam Speaker, two hon. Ministers organised a workshop through which we were told how important the K1 million was, and we were meant to believe that the money would go a long way in our constituencies.

Madam Speaker, is the hon. Member for Dundumwezi in order to demean the K1 million, which was allocated by the Government to the people of Chitambo, and say that it is just a drop in the ocean?

Madam Speaker, I need your serious ruling.

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, can you cite the Standing Order.

Mr Mutale: Madam Speaker, Standing Order No. 71.

Laughter

Rev. Katuta: Hear, hear!

Mr Mutale: Madam Speaker, he must tell the truth all the time, and he should substantiate why he thinks it is a drop in the ocean when we value this money, and we want to utilise it in our constituencies.

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Chitambo, you have debated your point of order. You have even indicated how important that K1 million is to your constituency. I do not know what ruling I can make. We know that the K1 million is very important to all of us. It was a nice debate.

Hon. Member for Kanyama, you may proceed.

Mr Nkandu: Senior junkie!

Laughter

Mr Chinkuli (Kanyama): Madam Speaker, I have a challenge with the manner in which the local authority manages the 5 per cent administrative fund, coupled with the disaster component, because when you inquire, no one gives a straightforward answer on how these funds are utilised. This K1 million component is supposed to be administered by the local authority. What guarantee do we have that the local authority will utilise these funds in the manner that is required under the memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will be signed?

Mr Sialubalo: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Kanyama for that question. The local authorities have been handling a lot of money from the time the United Party for National Development (UPND) came into office, in terms of the CDF. In 2022, the initial money that was given was about K25.7 million. In that amount, there are many K1 millions, in fact, twenty-five of them. The local authorities managed that fund. I know we still have some bad eggs in the system. However, generally, projects that are commissioned in all 156 constituencies are worth more than K1 million. So, let us have confidence that the local authorities will do a good job. Twenty-nine constituencies have already shown their commitment and have delivered. The 127 have not yet, but we want to take it centrally so that our people can benefit. The desired result is that this money is accounted for.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Anakoka (Luena): Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, as the hon. Minister has indicated that his ministry has observed delays in this process, will it also consider handing this money back to the local authorities so that they can undertake procurement in the same way it is done for all the projects that are allocated under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF)?

Mr Sialubalo: Madam Speaker, the window of opportunity was given to all the local authorities to utilise the K1 million. However, out of the 156 parliamentary constituencies, only twenty-nine utilised the resources. The 127 have not utilised the resources, and the people want results, including hon. Members of Parliament. So, as a responsible ministry, we want to drive the agenda, unlike taking it back to the local authorities that were given a huge window to carry out the activity, and yet only twenty-nine responded positively, the 127 did not do anything. Time is running out. We need to deliver results to the people. The K1 million should go towards what the people desire.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Chala (Chipili): Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister is talking about the K1 million that was deducted from each constituency, and this money is sitting in one of the banks accruing interest. My question is: Why is the hon. Minister only talking about the K1 million instead of telling us how much interest it has accrued in the bank, wherever it is sitting?

Mr Sialubalo: Madam Speaker, the UPND is an extremely smart Government. It does not keep money, even as a ministry. The money is kept by the Ministry of Finance and National Planning. When we require it, we write to the Ministry of Finance and National Planning to release the money, and that is what we utilise. We do not keep the money in any bank.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Eng. Daka (Chadiza): Madam Speaker, different facilities have different energy demands. Therefore, we do not expect a standard approach to the problem. I would like to know whether the K1 million has provided fiscal space for technical support. I understand that facilities will require different sizes of solar facilities. Has the Government put aside a certain amount of money in the K1 million to facilitate technical support?

Mr Sialubalo: Madam Speaker, REA and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, including local authorities, are one Government. So, the role of REA is to handle the technical aspect of the project. The REA knows where each component should be installed and what it costs. So, the technical response can only be given by REA and not the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chewe (Lubansenshi): Madam Speaker, I thank you for permitting me to ask a question on behalf of the people of Lubansenshi.

Madam Speaker, this is 2025, and the accounting books are soon to be closed. The K1 million, the hon. Minister mentioned, is for the 2024 fiscal year. He said that those constituencies that did not utilise the resources can come up with projects within their respective constituencies so that the money can be utilised. According to the hon. Minister’s statement, is the K1 million, which is at the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, under the 2025 National Budget or the 2026 Budget so that people can know whether the K1 million is under the 2025 National Budget and will be released when needed?

Mr Sialubalo: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the people of Lubansenshi.

Madam Speaker, the K1 million that I am talking about falls under the 2024 National Budget, and it shall be so. Even when the ministry sits to plan, it shall plan for the K1 million allocated in the 2024 Budget, not 2025 or 2026.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Chipili, do you have another question?

Mr Chala: It is a point of order, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister was not specific when responding to my question. In his statement, he said that the local authorities are the ones keeping the money. He did not say that the Ministry of Finance and National Planning did not release money. He was not clear. Had he said so, hon. Members would not have asked any further questions. However, he said the money is with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, not the local authority. Is he in order to not be clear that the Ministry of Finance and National Planning did not release the money to all constituencies?

Hon. Opposition Member: Interest is needed.

Mr Chala: Madam Speaker, we need the interest.

Laughter

Mr Chala: Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister in order to not clarify whether the money is still with the Ministry of Finance and National Planning? Was the money not released, or was it released and then the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development had to send it back to the Ministry of Finance and National Planning?

Hon. Opposition Members: Interest!

Mr Chala: Interest, Madam Speaker.

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Chipili, you had asked a question whether there was interest accrued in the bank. However, the hon. Minister answered that the money was not in the bank, and that it is still with the Ministry of Finance and National Planning. So, for me, the hon. Minister was not out of order. He was only telling us the way things are happening. He was not out of order.

We make progress.

_______

BILL

FIRST READING

THE COMPANIES (Amendment) BILL, 2025

The Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry (Mr Chipoka Mulenga): Madam Speaker, I beg to present a Bill titled the Companies (Amendment) Bill, No. 25 of 2025. The object of this Bill is to amend the Companies Act, so as to:

prohibit the operation of an entity as a company without incorporation;

revise the grounds on which the registrar can reject an application for incorporation;

give effect to the financial action task force recommendations relating to beneficial owners of legal persons;

impose a penalty on a company that continues to carry on a business with members or share capital below the prescribed minimum;

revise the penalty on a company that continues to carry on a business with members or share capital below the prescribed minimum;

prohibit the issue of a bearer share warranty;

revise the provision relating to documents to be lodged with the annual returns of a company;

revise the grounds on which the registrar may deregister a company; and

provide for matters connected with or incidental to the foregoing.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Committee on National Economy, Trade and Labour Matters. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House in due course. Hon. Members who wish to make submissions on the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee.

_______

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

STATUTORY DEDUCTIONS TOWARDS WORKERS’ CONTRIBUTIONS

96. Mr Chanda (Kanchibiya) asked the Minister of Labour and Social Security:

what measures are being taken to ensure that employers countrywide, adhere to the following statutory deductions towards workers’ contributions:

National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA);

National Health Insurance Management Authority (NHIMA); and

Workers’ Compensation Fund Control Board (WCFCB);

whether there are any employers that have been sanctioned for not remitting the contributions at (a); and

if so, how many employers were sanctioned from 2020 to 2024, year by year.

The Minister of Labour and Social Security (Ms Tambatamba): Madam Speaker, the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) remains committed to safeguarding the sustainability of the National Pension Scheme by ensuring full compliance with the National Pension Scheme Act No. 40 of 1996. To this effect, the Authority has implemented a comprehensive compliance framework covering registration, submission of returns, remittance of contributions and accurate reporting by employers.

Madam Speaker, the key interventions are as follows:

segmented risk-based compliance approach: The National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) has put in place, in line with the New Dawn Administration’s way of work, integrity committees that are guided by integrity, good governance, dialogue and a methodical approach to work. Employers are categorised using the risk differentiation framework and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) compliance improvement model to ensure that interventions are tailored to the compliance profile of each employer, as opposed to a uniform approach;

facilitative interventions for willing, but struggling employers through the following:

educational engagements through webinars and sector-based seminars;
collaborations with unions, associations, payroll software providers and recruitment agencies;
engagements with government ministries and state-owned enterprises;
mobile outreach and on-site registration exercises;
enhanced online self-service through the iCare platform; and
issuance of compliance certificates to incentivise timely remittances.

corrective and enforcement actions for persistent defaulters through the following:

targeted employer inspections;
prosecutions;
issuance of warrants of distress, and
structured settlement agreements and debt swap arrangements.

legislative reforms: NAPSA is supporting amendments to the National Pension Scheme Act to fulfil the following mandate:

return submissions;
strengthen record-keeping obligations;
address gaps affecting enforcement; and
enhance penalties for noncompliance.

adoption of digital compliance tools, including the following:

automated SMS’s, emails and social media reminders;
integration with payroll systems to minimise reporting errors; and
data-sharing platforms with other statutory bodies to enhance compliance monitoring.

monitoring and evaluation: Compliance levels are monitored through dashboards and key performance indicators (KPIs), enabling timely enforcement actions and data-driven decision-making.

Madam Speaker, these measures collectively demonstrate the authorities’ multifaceted approach to achieving voluntary compliance, while maintaining strong enforcement capacity where necessary.

Madam Speaker, employers who failed to remit contributions were sanctioned in accordance with the provisions of the National Pension Scheme Act. A total of 15,121 employers were prosecuted between 2020 and 2024, as summarised below:

Year Number of Employers Prosecuted

2020 2,643

2021 1,625

2022 2,118

2023 4,006

2024 4,729

Total 15,121

Madam Speaker, the numbers above include both private and public sector employers. NAPSA remains steadfast in balancing facilitation with enforcement to protect the pension rights of workers, while supporting employers in meeting their statutory obligations responsibly.

Madam Speaker, while the National Health Insurance Management Authority (NHIMA) is under the Ministry of Health, it participates in providing insurance services for the health of workers. In its quest to enhance adherence to statutory contributions by employers, the authority constituted a compliance and inspections unit in 2022. The initial approach is not to sanction employers, but to sensitise them adequately and assist them to be compliant. Among the organisations targeted were quasi-parastatals and Government institutions like councils. Thus, the authority remains in the engagement process or prefers the engagement methodology. Progressively, the authority started conducting countrywide inspections and the non-compliant employers discovered during these inspections were given an opportunity to enter into time-to-pay agreements (TPAs) in lieu of prosecution. This approach has worked for the authority, considering that the main goal is not necessarily to mete out punishment, but to collect the much-needed revenue. Since 2020, the authority has only successfully prosecuted one employer for failing to honour the TPA.

Madam Speaker, the Workers Compensation Fund Control Board (WCFCB) is a statutory body established under the Workers Compensation Act No. 10 of 1999 of the Laws of Zambia to compensate workers for disabilities suffered or diseases contracted in the course of employment and to administer a fund from which compensation and operational expenses are defrayed. The Workers Compensation Act No. 10 of 1999, in Section 113, empowers the board to levy assessments on employers. The assessments levied on employers are based on the number of workers declared and their earnings, subject to a ceiling currently at K1,200 per month or K14,400 per annum. Note that the worker does not suffer any deductions, but rather the employer takes up the responsibility of paying the assessment amount.

Ms Tambatamba coughed.

Ms Tambatamba: Pardon me, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chikote: Drink water.

Hon. Members: Water!

Ms Tambatamba: Madam Speaker, the Worker’s Compensation Act No. 10 of 1999, Section 113, empowers the WCFCB to levy assessments on employers. The assessments levied on employers are based on the number of workers declared and their earnings, subject to a ceiling which currently stands at K1,200 per month or K14,400.00 per annum. Note that the worker does not suffer any deductions, but rather, the employer takes up the responsibility of paying the assessment amount …

Madam Speaker, pardon me.

Hon. UPND Members: Water, water!

Ms Tambatamba: Open it for me, please.

Eng. Nzovu: Water, water!

Ms Tambatamba: I will begin afresh.

Note that the worker does not suffer any deductions, but rather the employer takes up the responsibility of paying the assessment amount in the event that the employer fails to pay the assessment amounts levied on them, the Workers’ Compensation Act No. 10 of 1999 has provisions on how assessment amounts in default are recovered.

Madam Speaker, the WCFCB has put in place the following measures to ensure compliance by employers:

organisational interoperability measures whereby data on statutory contributions is exchanged and matched with other social security institutions to avoid evasions, errors and fraud;

collaboration with employer associations to sensitise employers on statutory contributions;

implementation of time pay agreements for employers with outstanding assessment debt;

conducting employer workshops and media campaigns to enlighten employers on the requirements of the Workers Compensation Act;

introduction of an online administrative platform for payment of assessments;

imposing of administrative penalties on employers for late payment of assessments; and

prosecution of defaulting employers.

Madam Speaker, the WCFCB sanctioned a number of employers who circumvented payment of assessments in line with the requirements of the Workers’ Compensation Act No. 10 of 1999 of the Laws of Zambia through an administrative penalty and prosecution.

Madam Speaker, employers who were sanctioned through the administrative penalty are as follows:

Financial Year No. of Employers Sanctioned

2020 5,742

2021 6,347

2022 7,407

2023 Nil

2024 Nil

Penalties were waived for two years during the financial years to provide relief to employers in response to the drought situation in the country.

Madam Speaker, employers sanctioned through prosecution were as follows:

Financial Year No. of Employers Prosecuted

2020 246

2021 232

2022 151

2023 432

2024 112

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chanda: Madam Speaker, allow me to thank the hon. Minister for the comprehensive response.

Madam Speaker, when does the hon. Ministry intend to publish a transparent national database ora periodic compliance report indicating employers who are in arrears, those under enforcement action and the amounts recovered so that Parliament and the public can track adherence to labour laws?

Ms Tambatamba: Madam Speaker, within the planning that we are undertaking to respond to the risks that are posed to our workers due to the defaulting of any of these institutions, we take this as one of the key risks. Further, as we develop a system that is collating all the data that we are receiving from agencies and the provinces, we will be able to revert and provide the timeline when such a publication will be made.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chewe (Lubansenshi): Madam Speaker, thank you for the opportunity once more. My question is anchored on the issue of compensation.

Madam Speaker, if I got the hon. Minister clearly in her statement, she said that those who get severely disabled receive up to a maximum of K1,200. Now, if we have an employee who happens to be a breadwinner, and he is involved in a road accident or any accident at a workplace like the mines, where someone loses a leg, this person will have permanent disability and will not work anymore. Is the ministry considering reviewing the issue of compensation? My understanding is that the law we are using is an old law. There are many things that have changed. So, I would like to go back to my statement. Is the ministry considering reviewing the compensation package?

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

The consultations are too loud. Hon. Member for Chipili, lower your voice.

Ms Tambatamba: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for Lubansenshi. Indeed, this caring Government of the New Dawn Administration under the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Tambatamba: … does comply with the requirement of the management of any compensation or pension fund of the workers. I will talk about two mechanisms.

Madam Speaker, we have an assessment that is undertaken based on the income of the workers who provide information that will help in defining, designing and allocating resources for pensions or members’ benefits. That is a systematic approach that the WCFCB uses to base the benefit packages for workers on.

Secondly, there is even a bigger one, which is an actuarial valuation. Actuarial valuations are a requirement of an international standard. These valuations will assess, across the board, the benefit package that speaks to the Decent Work Agenda. It also speaks to the sustainability of the scheme. So, these two are the methodologies that are provided for in the management of this fund. The actuarial valuations inform the assessments that are undertaken. So, based on this information, we have provided that figure. This is what has defined and dictated the figure that is given. It is not a guesswork figure.

Madam Speaker, yes, indeed, we are looking at reform to ensure that the packages of benefits that go to our workers who are injured are well aligned with the Decent Work Agenda and, indeed, the social security international standards. So, currently, there is a review that is being undertaken for the Workers’ Compensation Act to look into matters, including this particular one to enhance the benefits of our workers.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chanda: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for his responses. My question is related to failure by employers to remit statutory obligations to the State as they should. We have cases where employees visit a health facility, for example, in the hope that the employer has been remitting to the National Health Insurance Management Authority (NHIMA), only to find that they cannot access health care services. A recent case in point is the Munali Nickel Mine, which is undergoing liquidation. The employers–

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members, in that corner (pointed to the left)!

Mr Chanda: Madam Speaker, some employees visited a facility only to find that the employer was not remitting to NHIMA. How does the Government intend to address the plight of the employee who finds himself or herself in such a situation?

Ms Tambatamba: Madam Speaker, I agree with the hon. Member. That is a genuine concern that we must all be interested in. This is the reason, as you may have seen from the profile of the measures being continuously improved on, the ministry has put in places all these measures, both at the front and the back not only looking at the workers’ contributions that are not remitted, but checking the root cause of why employers are not be in a position to pay at the right time, or not able to comply with the law.

Madam Speaker, besides the measures that concern litigation to ensure that employers comply with the law, the capacity side of things aims to get employers to the table to discuss with the agencies, like NHIMA, so that those agencies can understand where they come from. This is where they can also come up with negotiated mechanisms of how they will remit even in light of the challenges that they may have. For delinquent issues, litigation and prosecution come in, because there is no other place they get the resources to ensure that the workers are attended to. While the authority looks into the plight on humanitarian grounds, that should not take away the benefits of those who are compliant. Therefore, that can only be done for a short period, because it depletes other members’ benefits. So, the message to employers is that the rule of law must be adhered to.

Mr Nkandu: Hear, hear!

Ms Tambatamba: Madam Speaker, the rule of law must be adhered to. If employers are not able to appear before the authority to discuss and negotiate, how will they close the deficit? They must come and discuss so that they are helped. That is why there are debt swap options in place as well.

Mr Nkandu interjected.

Ms Tambatamba: Madam Speaker, may I be protected from the hon. Minister here (pointed at Mr Nkandu).

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister, you are protected.

Ms Tambatamba: Madam Speaker, we are engaging and working with the authorities, boards and pension schemes to ensure that we broaden measures by benchmarking from others within the region and beyond, within International Labour Organisation (ILO) membership, so that we find better ways to improve on mechanisms for compliance. As it is, every one of those employers must come to the table if they have problems. If they do not show up, then, we have no choice, but undergo litigation.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

PLANS TO UPGRADE DISTRICT VETERINARY LABORATORIES IN CHADIZA

97. Eng. Daka (Chadiza) asked the Minister of Fisheries and Livestock:

whether the Government has any plans to upgrade the district veterinary laboratories in Chadiza District to enhance service delivery;

if so, when the plans will be implemented;

what the estimated cost of the project is; and

if there are no such plans, why.

The Minister of Fisheries and Livestock (Mr Kapala): Madam Speaker, currently, my ministry has no immediate plans to upgrade the district veterinary laboratory in Chadiza, as the 2025 National Budget, under Head 86, does not provide any allocation for such an undertaking. However, I wish to assure the House that veterinary laboratory services remain accessible to Chadiza District through the Chipata Provincial Veterinary Laboratory, which serves as the designated referral facility for the region. Importantly, the Chipata Provincial Veterinary Laboratory underwent major rehabilitation in 2025, and has since been fully upgraded and equipped to meet modern diagnostic standards. The upgraded facility now offers a comprehensive range of diagnostic services, including disease surveillance, food safety, testing and support for livestock health programmes. These services effectively cater for the needs of Chadiza and the surrounding districts, ensuring that farmers and stakeholders continue to receive timely and reliable veterinary diagnostic services despite the absence of a dedicated upgrade to the laboratory in Chadiza.

Madam Speaker, this august House may wish to note that my ministry is implementing a comprehensive strategy, through the Animal Health Act No. 27 of 2010, aimed at strengthening disease control and veterinary services across the country. In this regard, the Cabinet has recently approved the Animal Health (Registration of Laboratories) Regulations, 2025. These regulations are intended to enhance the national laboratory network by fostering public-private partnerships and ensuring accreditation of qualified laboratories. This, in effect, implies that the private sector in Chadiza is now free to set up laboratories, which will be part of the national laboratory network. This initiative will significantly improve diagnostic capacity, enable timely disease detection and align our systems with international standards in animal health management.

Madam Speaker, furthermore, the House may wish to note that the Government is in the process of gazetting the regulations, and has already identified private laboratories to collaborate with in implementing this framework. This partnership will be pivotal in safeguarding animal and public health, and food security. Importantly, this approach will enhance service delivery nationwide by leveraging both Government and private sector laboratories, ensuring equitable access to quality veterinary diagnostic services.

Madam Speaker, given that there are currently no immediate plans to upgrade the Chadiza District veterinary laboratory, it is not possible at this stage to provide a definitive timeline for implementation. However, my ministry remains fully committed to improving veterinary services and will continue to monitor the situation closely. Future upgrades will be considered in line with available budgetary provisions and strategic priorities.

Madam Speaker, as a result of the responses to parts (a) and (b) of the question, part (c) does not apply.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Munsanje (Mbabala): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for the elaborate statement, as it allows decentralisation to take root.

Madam Speaker, what is the quality assurance for those private laboratories that will be accredited? What is the guarantee that the tests will stand the test of time and proper diagnosis will be conducted, including issues of drug efficacy? As a part-time rancher, I bought medicine, and when I dipped the animals, the medicine did not seem to work. So, the quality assurance of these laboratories needs to be guaranteed. What quality measures have been put in place?

Mr Kapala: Madam Speaker, for one to be given a certificate or permit to operate a laboratory, a lot of factors would have been taken into consideration, such as the personnel, the financial capability, and the equipment proposed to be in that laboratory, and the Government will provide additional oversight to ensure that the results that come out of that laboratory are acceptable.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Eng. Daka: Madam Speaker, in case the hon. Minister is not aware, the cattle population in Chadiza stands at over 50,000, the goat population is over 30,000, and there are over 48,000 pigs. In that vein, the animal business in Chadiza stands as a very important business for our people. Therefore, a faster diagnostic approach to diseases and any form of infection is quite cardinal for our constituents. The hon. Minister advised us to be going to the veterinary laboratories in Chipata, and that defeats the whole purpose of what we are looking for. In that vein, how does the Government currently allocate resources for veterinary services, void of adequate research in the district?

Mr Kapala: Madam Speaker, the question was about upgrading the laboratories. This means that the laboratories already exist. I have indicated that any specialised tests or diagnoses that need to be carried out can be done in Chipata. So, the issue of the number of animals that are in Chadiza will be taken care of because the laboratory in Chipata is more comprehensive in terms of diagnosing, looking at the samples that are taken to that laboratory.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Eng. Daka: Madam Speaker, although the response is not encouraging for the people of Chadiza, I will ask my next question anyway.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister referred us to the private-public partnership (PPP) model of financing the enhanced laboratory services in Chadiza. He is aware of what attracts a PPP model financing. There has to be some economic justification to that effect for a private sector to be attracted to invest in that field. However, looking at the economy of Chadiza and the people who are keeping animals, basically, most of them are peasants. So, I would like to find out if, indeed, the ministry has conducted research or a cost-benefit analysis that Chadiza can attract private investors in the field of animal husbandry.

Mr Kapala: Madam Speaker, my ministry carried out a Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) to ensure that the introduction of private laboratories does not hinder access to those facilities. So, when the new private laboratories are introduced, they will comply with the standards as Government laboratories. So, I do not see why the people of Chadiza will not have access to the laboratories. Those laboratories will be fairly priced, and I am sure they will be quite efficient.

Madam Speaker, I have taken note of the number of cattle that the hon. Member of Parliament has indicated. I need to reconcile that information with the information that I have, because I was looking at upgrading laboratories in fifteen districts where there are many cattle, like Namwala, Monze, Mambwe, Livingstone and Senanga. However, I will get back to the office to confirm that the 50,000 cattle that the hon. Member of Parliament has mentioned, is truly the answer, and we will be able to relook the whole issue.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Ms Mulenga (Kalulushi): Madam Speaker, looking at the request from the hon. Member of Parliament for Chadiza, it is obvious that the cry for the upgrade may be because there could not be some of the equipment at the laboratories in Chadiza, or some of the equipment could be obsolete in terms of testing for diseases or whatever it is that they want to test. Is the ministry thinking of acquiring the mobile laboratories so that they can conduct tests from anywhere? This is a new age and there is a new era of technology. Obviously, the modern mobile laboratories would have modern equipment, which is more accurate, and would provide more efficient service delivery while people wait for results in Chipata, considering the distance. Obviously, one of the Government's policies is to enhance the livestock sector.

Mr Kapala: Madam Speaker, I do not think the issue here is about equipment. I am of the view that we are looking at, maybe, the structural condition of those laboratories. There has been no complaint from the hon. Member of Parliament that the equipment is obsolete.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

SYSTEMIC BUREAUCRACY AT THE HIGHER EDUCATION AUTHORITY

98. Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central) asked the Minister of Education:

whether the Government is aware of the systemic bureaucracy at the Higher Education Authority (HEA), which delays the process of registration and accreditation of higher learning institutions;

what measures are being taken to enhance efficiency in the operations of the HEA;

whether the Government has any plans to decentralise the operations of the Authority to the ten provincial centres; and

if there are no such plans, why.

The Minister of Education (Mr Syakalima): Madam Speaker, I wish to clarify and inform the House that the Government is aware of some delays experienced in the registration and accreditation of higher education institutions by the Higher Education Authority (HEA). These delays do not arise from unnecessary bureaucracy, but from quality assurance requirements aligned with international best practices, incomplete submissions from some institutions, reliance on specialised learning programme experts, as well as capacity constraints arising from the expanded mandate under the Higher Education Amendment Act No. 23 of 2021.

Madam Speaker, to enhance efficiency in operations, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) has instituted several measures. These include:

digitisation of accreditation and registration processes;

introduction of accreditation windows to streamline workflow;

expansion of the learning programme expert database;

implementation of fast-track review sessions;

temporary staffing measures to address workload peaks; and

continuous capacity development to strengthen internal technical competencies.

Madam Speaker, while the HEA operations remain centralised, decentralisation efforts are underway. The authority completed a restructuring exercise with the Management Development Division (MDD), which provides for two regional offices.

Madam Speaker, as decentralisation plans are currently being implemented, the question of why no such plans exist does not arise.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I see that no hon. Member is indicating to ask a supplementary question.

So, we move to the next question.

Mr Munsanje and Mr Miyutu rose.

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Mbabala, sorry, resume your seat. Let us try to indicate on time.

The hon. Member for Kalabo Central has a follow-up question.

Mr Miyutu: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the responses.

Madam Speaker, on the matter of decentralisation, there is a need to enhance measures to ensure that the commission decentralises to provincial centres, at least. For example, the Teaching Council of Zambia (TCZ) can have centres on the Copperbelt and in Livingstone. Are there no plans to decentralise to all the ten provincial centres?

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, that was not a question. The hon. Member is suggesting what I had already said. I said that the authority completed a restructuring exercise with the MDD, which provides for two regional offices. He has repeated exactly what I said. I thank him for helping me.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

PROCUREMENT OF MEDICAL EQUIPMENT FOR HEALTH FACILITIES IN MBABALA

99. Mr Munsanje (Mbabala) asked the Minister of Health:

whether the Government has any plans to procure the following medical equipment for health facilities in Mbabala Parliamentary Constituency:

autoclaving machines;
anaesthesia machines;
X-ray machines;
oxygen machines;
ultra sound machines;
CT scan; and
hospital furniture;

if so, when the plans will be implemented; and

if there are no such plans, why.

The Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development (Mr Mubanga) (on behalf of the Minister of Health (Mr Muchima)): Madam Speaker, the Government’s priority remains to ensure that our health facilities are equipped to deliver quality healthcare services to our people. I wish to inform this august House that working in collaboration with stakeholders, the Government has already commenced the procurement of medical equipment for Macha Hospital in Mbabala Constituency, with the following already procured:

Equipment Status

new digital X-ray machine delivered

ultrasound scan machine delivered

autoclave machine two procured and one has been installed so far

anaesthesia machine delivered and installed.

Madam Speaker, the Government has strategically installed an oxygen plant at Choma General Hospital to supply oxygen to the district and the surrounding areas. Mbabala Constituency is in Choma District.

Madam Speaker, with regard to the computed tomography (CT) scan, Macha Mission Hospital does not currently qualify to host such equipment. Nevertheless, the community will soon have access to CT scan services at Choma General Hospital. At present, Macha Hospital requires skilled human resource to operate the newly installed equipment so that the facility can provide the much-needed healthcare services to the community.

Madam Speaker, plans are implemented on a rolling basis, according to the hospital medical equipment plan.

Madam Speaker, part (c) of the question falls off because the plans are being implemented.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Munsanje: Madam Speaker, I thank the Acting hon. Minister of Health for a very comprehensive and welcome, nice answer. I am happy that the Government is procuring that important equipment to provide services for our people in Mbabala and the surrounding communities. As you may know, Macha Hospital serves my brothers from Namwala, Pemba, Choma itself, Monze and many other surrounding districts. People go to Macha Hospital for various specialised services, including laboratory services. What is the population requirement for a hospital to have a computed tomography (CT) scan? As technology advances, machines for diagnosis should also advance so that hospitals can do quick and quality diagnoses for patients.

Mr Mubanga: Madam Speaker, I think, the hon. Member is asking about the population. I think, this is the way medical facilities are classified. It is not about the population in a particular area. That is how health centres are classified. That equipment will be procured and installed.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mumba (Kantanshi): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the Acting hon. Minister for the response.

Madam Speaker, the CT Scan caught my attention. Yesterday, or the day before yesterday, the CT Scans in Ndola on the Copperbelt and all Government hospitals were not working. Actually, they were found with faults. The hon. Minister mentioned that the CT Scan would be provided at Choma General Hospital. Now, considering the importance of this equipment, when is the Government going to procure it so that it serves the people of Mbabala and the surrounding areas? Please, take note of my area of concern about what is happening on the Copperbelt.

Mr Mubanga: Madam Speaker, the ministry has actually procured the CT Scan for Choma General Hospital, and the people of Mbabala Constituency should be able to be serviced from Choma General Hospital.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Munsanje: Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate the New Dawn United Party for National Development (UPND) Government, especially the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning and His Excellency the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema on the improved rating from S&P Global Ratings on the financial indicators.

Madam Speaker, the commitment and the purchase of this equipment by the New Dawn UPND Government for the people of Mbabala and Choma signifies that our people are beginning to reap the benefits of this excellent economic management.

Mr Nkandu: Hear, hear!

Mr Mubanga: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member was just thanking the Government for the policies which are working within the health sector, and we just want to say everyone must appreciate what the Government is doing in the health sector.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

MAXIMISING THE TOURISM POTENTIAL OF LUANGWA DISTRICT

100. Mr E, Tembo (Feira) asked the Minister of Tourism:

what measures the Government is taking to maximise the tourism potential of Luangwa District; and

how much revenue was collected from tourism activities in the

District from January, 2018 to August, 2025, year by year.

The Minister of Tourism (Mr Sikumba): Madam Speaker, the Government, through the Ministry of Tourism, has embarked on several projects to tap the exceptionally high potential of tourism driven by a rich cultural and historical background, dating back to the pre-liberation and post-liberationstruggle of Southern Africa.

Madam Speaker, the history of the N’cwala Traditional Ceremony of the Ngoni speaking people cannot be complete without mentioning the crossing of the Zambezi River by King Zwangendaba and the Ngoni people in 1835 in Luangwa District. This district is also renowned for the Lower Zambezi National Park, which is one of the twenty national parks in our country, extending to Rufunsa, Chongwe and Chirundu districts, and is celebrated for its abundant, rich and diverse wildlife, including large elephants and hippo population.

Madam Speaker, to maximise potential in Luangwa District, the Government has instituted a number of activities, which are, and not limited to the following:

engaging the local authority, which is the Luangwa District Council, to reserve prime land along the Luangwa and the Zambezi for high-end resorts, water-based activities that are related to tourism development; and

working with the Ngoni Royal Establishment that on 18^th February, 2025, the Ministry of Tourism supported the inaugural commemoration of the Ngoni people crossing the Zambezi River in 1835, a rendition that is. This event was of great significance as it ushered in a new tourism product, the crossing of the Zambezi River by the Ngoni-speaking people.

Madam Speaker, in this regard, we are looking forward to having the establishment impress itself as an annual grand commemoration, which obviously took place on 19^th November, 1835. So, we are hoping that it will be declared as a national event.

The House experienced a power cut.

Hon. Opposition Members: ZESCO!

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

Madam Speaker, further, the Government is actively promoting tourism sites found in the Luangwa Valley ecosystem, arts, natural and international investment for us and expositions. The Government is also improving infrastructure and access in the district by refurbishing the Kavalamanja Road and considering constructing a tri-border at Feira to boost cross-border tourism trade and connectivity.

Madam Speaker, the Government is also promoting private sector engagement in supporting traditional ceremonies and cultural events to strengthen local benefits and diversification of district tourism potential.

Madam Speaker, last, but not the least, in wildlife conservation, the Luangwa Valley Ecosystem is enhanced through the community's participation in a trans-frontier conservation area called the Zimbabwe/Mozambique/Zambia (ZIMOZA), which was established on 18^th July, 2024. The Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) aims to manage shared natural resources through community-based natural resource management, infrastructure development, policy harmonisation, focusing on wildlife conservation and sustainable development. Currently, the ministry is in the process of sourcing funds through the subject TFCA financing facility.

Madam Speaker, with regards to the revenues collected from January 2018 to August 2025, year-on-year, I must hasten to mention that my ministry’s main revenue sources include hotel managers' registration fee, casinos, entry fees to national museums, heritage sites, national parks, as well as hunting and tourism concessions in national parks.

Madm Speaker, with regards to Luangwa District, the cumulative total from January 2018 to August 2025 is US$8,623,607.46 million.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Thank you.

Mr E. Tembo rose without indicating.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, you are supposed to indicate before you stand.

Laughter

Mr E. Tembo: Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank you, once again, for the opportunity. I also want to thank the hon. Minister for the response.

Madam Speaker, I know that he has clearly outlined the potential that Feira has as it relates to tourism as well as the potential of finances that can go into the National Treasury.

Madam Speaker, there is a total of US$8 million, which translates to an income of about K1 million per year. The hon. Minister has also outlined …

Mr Sikumba: It is US Dollars.

Mr E. Tembo: Is it in US Dollars?

Mr Sikumba: Yes.

Mr E. Tembo: Okay. The hon. Minister has clarified that it is in US Dollars. So, US$1 million, will be K24 million in Zambian Kwacha or just around there. Obviously, we could get more.

Madam Speaker, we need robust marketing strategies to encourage local people to venture into that and for many other Zambians to ensure that we maximise the tourism potential in Feira Constituency. Indeed, as the House may be aware, this is important because we lack industries. So, tourism is a potential sector. We cannot eat potential. So, I want to find out from him what the ministry is doing about the tourism potential in Feira.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Was that a question or a comment?

Mr E. Tembo: Madam, it was a question in relation to marketing of that potential that the hon. Minister outlined.

Mr Sikumba: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for the follow up question. I totally agree with the hon. Member, we need to do more marketing, not only in Luangwa District, but also in the various districts that we have in our country. I would like to urge the hon. Member of Parliament to work hand and glove with my ministry to see potential within those areas. Being the area Member of Parliament, he should assist my ministry in identifying sites that need potential investment. We are fresh from a press briefing by His Excellency the President, who has been talking about bringing in more investors. We should not scare investors from our country. Mr Hakainde Hichilema consistently talks about allowing the private sector to invest in some of the projects that are in our respective districts. So, we can do more, and we can work with the hon. Member, and we will do more for that beautiful district called Luangwa.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr E. Tembo: Madam Speaker, as the hon. Minister was responding to the question, he mentioned Kavalamanja Road. While I agree with him about working hand in hand, I want to know what his ministry is doing in terms of developing infrastructure to make it easier for possible investors in the tourism sector.

Mr Sikumba: Madam Speaker, I think, as the Government, we have been consistent in our quest to woo as much investment as we possibly can. The Government just undertakes minimal infrastructure development in the areas. We are identifying non-performing Government assets to work with the private sector. That is the reason we have a well-functioning Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to identify areas such as the one in Kavalamanja. The Government will not invest in building hotel infrastructure, but will allow the private sector to come. That is all the more reason my ministry has devised a toolkit called invest in tourism in Zambia, which details the investment environment as well as sites that have already been identified as ten key projects. I will be happy to host the hon. Member for a cup of coffee on Cairo Road, Third Floor, third room. This is where I will be able to give him a breakdown of all the sites earmarked for possible investment. Tomorrow is a good day.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mabeta (Kankoyo): Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, in the last two years, there has been a huge increase in the number of tourist arrivals. They have increased to over 2 million. This year, we have seen high-level visitors, like the son of the American President, Donald Trump Junior. Comparing what Zimbabwe spends on marketing; US$500 million, while our ministry is only given US$25 million for marketing, I want to know what the ministry is doing to increase the number of high-profile tourist arrivals with the limited resources?

Mr Sikumba: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for Kankoyo for that good question.

Madam Speaker, indeed, Zambia is in the spotlight. Rightly observed by the hon. Member, with the resource envelope that we have, it is increasingly difficult to match with our neighbours in terms of tourism marketing. However, I believe that the Cabinet, through the leadership of our President, is working tirelessly to find the ministry more resources to go towards marketing. What is clearer and more evident is that we are inviting more investors to the country, similar to the high-level visitors or delegates who have been coming to our country. As the hon. Member mentioned, Donald Trump Junior was in the country, an individual who has found pride and joy in our country and is looking forward to investing. The more potential investors we bring, the more spotlight we have in our country. So, we can only keep ourselves safe. As the President always says, peace, security and stability are what will invite more investors to our country. The more investors we have, the more taxes we receive, the more job opportunities we have for our children and better the life our people, those who have entrusted us to lead this country, will have.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

GROUPED QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

PLANS TO TAR ROADS IN PETAUKE DISTRICT

101. Mr S. Banda (Petauke Central) asked the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development:

whether the Government has any plans to tar the following roads in Petauke District:

Petauke/Kaumbwe;

Petauke/Nyamphande; and

Petauke/Ukwimi;

if so, when the plans will be implemented; and

if there are no such plans, why.

REHABILITATION OF TOWNSHIP ROADS IN ROAN PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY

102. J. Chibuye (Roan) asked the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development:

whether the Government has any plans to rehabilitate township roads to bituminous standard in the following areas in Roan Parliamentary Constituency:

Mpatamatu; and

Roan;

if so, when the plans will be implemented;

what the estimated cost of the project is; and

if there are no such plans, why.

TARRING OF TOWNSHIP ROADS IN MULOBEZI DISTRICT

103. Eng. Mabenga (Mulobezi) asked the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development:

when the Government will tar township roads in Mulobezi District; and

what the estimated cost of the project is.

REHABILITATION OF TOWNSHIP ROADS IN PETAUKE DISTRICT

104. Mr S. Banda asked the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development:

when the Government will complete the rehabilitation of township roads in Petauke District; and

what the cause of the delay in completing the project is.

The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development (Mr Sialubalo): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform this august House that the Government has plans to rehabilitate to bituminous standard township roads in Roan …

Mr J. Chibuye: Hear, hear!

Mr Sialubalo: … Mulobezi and Petauke Central constituencies in Mpatamatu, …

Mr J. Chibuye: Yes!

Mr Sialubalo: … Roan, …

Mr J. Chibuye: Yes!

Mr Sialubalo: … Mulobezi District, Petauke/Kaumbwe, Petauke/Nyamphande and Petauke/Ukwimi.

Madam Speaker, the Government will complete the rehabilitation of the township roads in Petauke Central, Roan and Mulobezi parliamentary constituencies once funds are made available.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Sialubalo: Madam Speaker, the works in Roan Constituency started in June 2025 and, as of August 2025, 4 km of the road had been paved from the Industrial Road junction up to the Roan Roundabout.

Mr J. Chibuye: Hear, hear!

Mr Sialubalo: Madam Speaker, the remaining 8km stretch will be worked on soon by the Road Development Agency (RDA) under the Lusaka/Ndola Dual Carriageway project.

Madam Speaker, the cost of the 4 km stretch that has already been paved is part of the 11 km Luanshya urban roads project that is being implemented by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development. The overall project cost is K295,694,466.67, out of which the cost for 4 km of Roan/Mpatamatu Road is about K77,196,303.57.

Madam Speaker, as for Mulobezi and Petauke Central constituencies, plans will be implemented in a phased manner due to budgetary constraints.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1640 hours until 1700 hours.

[MR SECOND DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

Mr Sialubalo: Mr Speaker, before business was suspended, I was responding to the grouped questions asked by Hon. Banda, Hon. J. Chibuye and Hon. Eng. Mabenga. However, allow me to start afresh.

Mr Speaker, I wish to inform this august House that the Government has plans to rehabilitate bituminous standard township roads in Roan Constituency, Mulobezi Constituency and Petauke Central Constituency in the following areas:

Mpatamatu;

Roan;

Mulobezi District;

Petauke/Kaumbwe;

Petauke/Nyampande; and

Petauke /Ukwimu.

Mr Speaker, further, the Government will complete the rehabilitation of township roads in Petauke Central Constituency, Roan Constituency and Mulobezi Constituency, once funds are made available.

Mr Speaker, in Roan, the works started in June 2025, and as of August 2025, 4 km of the road had been paved from the industrial road junction up to the Roan roundabout. The remaining 8 km stretch will be worked on soon by the Road Development Agency (RDA).

Mr Speaker, plans for Mulobezi and Petauke Central will be implemented in a phased manner due to budgetary constraints. The cost of the 4 km that has already been paved is part of the 11 km Luanshya Urban Road Project, which is being implemented by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development. The overall project cost is K295,604,466.67. Out of which, the cost for the 4 km, which is Roan/Mpatamatu Road, is K77,196,303.57.

Mr Speaker, as for Mulobezi and Petauke Central, the estimated cost of the project will be known once a full condition assessment of the priority road network is done, and the Bills of Quantity (BoQs) are prepared.

Mr Speaker, the implementation plans are there as indicated in part (a) of the response.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

_______

RULING BY MR SPEAKER

POINT OF ORDER RAISED BY MR M. MUTELO, HON. MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR MITETE CONSTITUENCY, AGAINST MR F. R. KAPYANGA, HON. MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR MPIKA CONSTITUENCY, FOR ALLEGEDLY USING UNPARLIAMENTARY LANGUAGE IN THE HOUSE

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, the House will recall that on Wednesday, 5^th November, 2025, when the House was considering the report of the Zambian Delegation to the 54^th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region Conference, Mr Mutelo, Member of Parliament for Mitete Constituency, raised a point of order. The point of order was raised pursuant to Order No.71(2)(e) of the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders, 2024, which prohibits the use of unparliamentary language or offensive expressions during debates. In his point of order, Mr Mutelo, MP, inquired whether Mr F. R. Kapyanga, MP, was in order to use unparliamentary language by referring to Members of the Ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) as hooligans. In my immediate response, I reserved my ruling to enable me to study the matter and deliver a measured ruling. I have since studied the matter and will now render the ruling.

Hon. Members, the point of order by Mr Mutelo, MP, raises the issue of a Member using unparliamentary language on the Floor of the House.

Hon. Members, the conduct of Members of Parliament is regulated by laws and rules intended to safeguard the dignity and integrity of the House, as well as to ensure the efficient and orderly discharge of its business. In this regard, Section 19(e) of the National Assembly of Zambia (Powers and Privileges) Act, Chapter 12 of the Laws of Zambia, on the conduct of Members, provides as follows:

“19. Any person shall be guilty of an offence who –

(e) commits any other act of intentional disrespect to or with reference to the proceedings of the Assembly …”

Additionally, Order No. 213(1) and (2) of the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders, 2024, requires all hon. Members to conduct themselves in a manner that maintains the dignity and decorum of the House. It provides as follows:

(2) A Member shall not act in a manner that brings the House or other Members generally into disrepute.”

Further, Standing Order No. 214(2)(f) and (u), among others, sets out the rules of parliamentary decorum and etiquette as follows:

“(2) A Member shall observe the following rules of parliamentary etiquette:

(f) a Member shall not interrupt another Member holding the Floor by making noise or other disorderly expressions;

(u) a Member shall resume his or her seat as soon as the presiding officer rises to speak or calls out ‘order’ or ‘a Point of Order is raised’.”

Furthermore, Standing Order No. 72(1) and (2) provides on the use of unparliamentary language in the House, as follows:

“72.

Unparliamentary language refers to the use of offensive, provocative, insulting, threatening or obscene language in the House.

A Member shall not use unparliamentary language in the House.”

Hon. Members, eminent writers on parliamentary practice and procedure, Audrey O’Brien and Marc Bosc, in their book entitled House of Commons Procedure and Practice (Second Edition, Ottawa, House of Commons, 2009), state, at page 618, as follows:

“The proceedings of the House are based on a long-standing tradition of respect for the integrity of all Members. Thus, the use of offensive, provocative or threatening language in the House is strictly forbidden. Personal attacks, insults and obscenities are not in order.”

Hon. Members, in investigating this matter, I reviewed both the video footage and the verbatim record of the proceedings on the material day. The footage shows that while Mr Kapyanga, MP, was on the Floor, some hon. Members made interruptive comments. In response, Mr Kapyanga, MP, sought my protection by stating, “Mr Speaker, I need your protection, or should I protect myself? I am very capable, against the hooligans on this side,” while pointing to his left.

Hon. Members, although it is not apparent from the footage to whom the words were specifically directed, Mr Kapyanga, MP, pointed to the side where the hon. Members of the Ruling Party, the UPND, sit during the proceedings of the House. From his gestures, it can, therefore, be discerned that the term was used in reference to the hon. Members of the UPND. The footage further shows that when Mr M. Mutelo, MP, rose on a Point of Order, and before he could articulate it, Mr Kapyanga, MP, stood up and begun speaking while pointing a finger to the side where UPND hon. Members sit, without being granted the Floor by the Hon. Second Deputy Speaker. A review of the verbatim record of the proceedings of the material day confirms that Mr Kapyanga, MP, indeed, used the word ‘hooligans’. The Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 8^th Edition, defines the term ‘hooligan’ as “a young person who behaves in an extremely noisy and violent way in public, usually in a group”.

Hon. Members, in light of the meaning of the word and the authorities cited above, I find the use of the term ‘hooligans’ by Mr Kapyanga, MP, towards the hon. Members of the Ruling Party, the UPND, offensive and provocative and, therefore, unparliamentary. I further find that his act of rising to speak without being given the Floor by me, while another hon. Member was on the Floor to raise a Point of Order, constitutes a breach of the rules of parliamentary etiquette.

Hon. Members, this is not the first time Mr Kapyanga, MP, has breached the rules of this House. The House will recall that on Tuesday, 4^th November, 2024, I admonished Mr Kapyanga, MP, for the use of unparliamentary language against a fellow hon. Member on the Floor of the House, in a ruling on a complaint by Mr O. Amutike, hon. Member of Parliament for Mongu Central Constituency, against Mr B. Mpundu, MP, and Mr F. R. Kapyanga, MP, for allegedly using informal and unparliamentary language towards him. He apologised and made a commitment that he will ensure that the honour, decorum and dignity of the House is protected and preserved at all times.

However, barely a day after that admonition and the apology, Mr F. R. Kapyanga, MP, instead of showing repentance, proceeded with impunity to utter yet another unparliamentary word. This demonstrates a clear disregard for the dignity of the House and an adamant intent to bring this august House into ridicule and disrepute.

Hon. Members, having considered the demeaning and offensive nature of the word uttered by Mr F. R. Kapyanga, MP, on the Floor of the House, and taking into account that he is a second offender, within a week, I am inclined to impose a stiffer sanction in order to uphold the dignity and decorum of the House. Therefore, in exercise of my powers under Section 28(2) of the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act, I am of the view that Mr F. R. Kapyanga, MP, should be suspended from the service of the National Assembly for a period of seven days. Thus, in accordance with Section 28(2) of the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act, which requires a resolution of the House to suspend an hon. Member from the House, I put the question.

Hon. PF Members called for a division.

Question that the House suspends Mr F. R. Kapyanga, MP, for a period of seven days, with effect from today, Tuesday, 25^th November, 2025 put and the House voted.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Members, we can all see the results. You have voted freely.

Ayes – (55)

Mr Amutike

Mr Anakoka

Mr Chaatila

Mr Chikote

Mr Chinkuli

Mr Halwiindi

Ms Hlazo

Mr Jamba

Mr Kangombe

Mr Kapala

Mr Kapema

Ms Kasanda

Mr Katakwe

Mr Kolala

Mr Lihefu

Mr Lubozha

Mr Lufuma

Mr Lumayi

Eng. Mabenga

Mr Mandandi

Mr Mapani

Mr Mbao

Mr Milupi

Mr Mtolo

Mr Mubanga

Mr Mukumbi

Mr Mulaliki

Mr Charles Mulenga

Mr Mulunda

Mr Mulusa

Mrs Mulyata

Mr Munsanje

Mr Nason Musonda

Mr Musumali

Mr Mutati

Mr Mutelo

Mr Mutinta

Mr Mwene

Mr Mwiimbu

Mr Ngoma

Mr Ngowani

Mr Nkandu

Mr Nkombo

Ms Sabao

Mr Samakayi

Mr Siachisumo

Mr Sialubalo

Mr Sikumba

Mr Simbao

Mr Simunji

Mr Simushi

Mr Simuzingili

Brig-Gen Sitwala

Ms Tambatamba

Mr Tayengwa

Noes – (21)

Mr Simon Banda

Mr Chibombwe

Mr Chisanga

Ms Chisenga

Mr Chisopa

Mr Chonde

Mr Fube

Mr Kabaso

Mr Kalobo

Mr Kampyongo

Mr Kapyanga

Mr Kasandwe

Mr Mtayachalo

Ms Kampamba

Mr Mundubile

Dr Mwanza

Mr Mwila

Ms Phiri

Mr Simumba

Mr E Tembo

Mr Twasa

Abstentions – (0)

Question accordingly agreed to.

Mr Kapyanga rose.

Mr Kapyanga: I would like to address you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Ah!

Mr Kapyanga resumed his seat.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: I would like to address Mr Kampyanga.

Ms Mulenga: Kapyanga!

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Kapyanga, may you stand up.

Mr Kapyanga rose.

Interruptions

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Ah!

Do not force me to add more days. I have that liberty.

Interruptions

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, let us ensure that there is decorum in the House. Do not encourage disorderliness in the House. We know the words that he uttered. Even if you belong to his side, be an example. It is not just about supporting him. Where there is a wrong, there is a wrong, and it has to be corrected. So, as I am addressing him, if I hear any noise, I will name that hon. Member immediately and I will subject that to a vote thereafter.

So, let me proceed and address Hon. Kapyanga.

Mr. F.R. Kapyanga MP, your suspension, as resolved by the House, is for seven days from today, Tuesday, 25^th November to Monday, 1^st December, 2025.

I now turn to address you, Mr Kapyanga, MP, before you take the walk of shame through the Main Entrance of the Assembly Chamber.

I wish to inform you that the House is deeply displeased with your conduct of using unparliamentary language on the Floor of the House. As an hon. Member of Parliament, you are expected to uphold the highest standards of dignity and decorum befitting this august House. This is a House of honour, decorum and integrity, and I am duty-bound to safeguard and preserve these values at all times. I must reiterate that acts of gross indiscipline and misconduct, whether by yourself or any other hon. Member, will not be tolerated.

Finally, I wish to inform you that in accordance with Section 28(3) of the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act, during the period of your suspension, you shall not:

enter the premises of the Assembly, and this extends to the Members' Motel;

participate in any business or activity of the House or a Committee to which you are assigned in your capacity as a Member of Parliament; and

be paid a salary or an allowance that you are entitled to as an hon. Member.

Now, I order Mr Kapyanga, MP, to proceed on a seven-day suspension, with effect from today, Tuesday, 25^th November 2025, as resolved by the House.

Mr Kapyanga interjected.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Who do you want to address, hon. Member. May you proceed to the exit. As many as the House has resolved that you are suspended, you take the walk of shame through the main entrance door.

Mr Kapyanga left the Assembly Chamber through the main door.

Interruptions

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, as you leave the House, do it quietly. There is serious business on the Floor of the House.

Mr Kampyongo: Question!

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Let us proceed with supplementary questions.

Mr J. Chibuye: Mr Speaker, before I pose a question, allow me to tender my congratulations, on behalf of the good people of Roan Constituency, to you on your academic achievement. We wish you all the best in your academic endeavours.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Thank you.

Mr J. Chibuye: Mr Speaker, I would also like to thank –

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: On a point of order, Mr Speaker.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: Mr Speaker, thank you for according me this opportunity to raise a very serious point of order on Hon. J. Chibuye, Member of Parliament for Roan.

Mr Speaker, is Hon. J. Chibuye in order to shock us by not expressing happiness on the fact that this afternoon, the Constitutional Court ruled that the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7, 2025, should go ahead in this House, as it is legitimately being considered, and that the applications made by the Oasis Forum, the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ), the Council of churches Zambia (CCZ) and the Non-governmental Gender Organisations' Co-ordinating Council (NGOCC) have no merit.

Mr Speaker, is the hon. Member in order to not express happiness that this House is in order to proceed with the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7, 2025?

I need your serious ruling, Mr Speaker.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. J. Chibuye, you were the one who was busy pushing for delimitation. I think, you should be very happy.

You may proceed.

Mr J. Chibuye: Mr Speaker, to the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, I say, who are the people of Roan Constituency to go against a court ruling?

Mr Speaker, before I pose my question, I would like to sincerely thank the hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development for working on 4 km of the township roads. I will be failing terribly if I do not appreciate my elder brother as well, the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Eng. Charles Milupi, for filling the gap that was left by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development. I sincerely thank the two ministries.

Mr Speaker, the township roads we are talking about are the inner roads or street roads in Roan and Mpatamatu. During the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines (ZCCM) era, every street was tarred. However, from the time the mines were privatised, the roads have deteriorated, and what remains are gullies and big potholes. I heard the answer that the hon. Minister gave with regard to depending on the resource envelope. While we are waiting for that, are there any measures that can be taken, like using a grader to make the roads passable, so that they can be in gravel condition until the ministry finds the money to upgrade them into tarred roads?

Mr Sialubalo: Mr Speaker, I would also like to congratulate you on your achievement. Indeed, you are determined. Who are we to not emulate and congratulate you for remaining focused?

Mr Speaker, as you may be aware, Luanshya, in general, was a sorry sight before the UPND came into power. It was just gone. The entire Roan District was a sorry sight. There was no hope. This Government has done many things for the people of Luanshya. Looking at the ambitious programme that we have for Roan, we cannot stop at what we have done so far. The constituency bought the yellow machines. So, the roads can be graded using the component that is under the CDF. I can tell the House that we want to show the people of Zambia that we mean business with what we are doing in Roan. This is your Government. We remain open. We are monitoring the resource envelope. We will ensure that, at least, the people keep smiling. That is also our hope for the people of Mulobezi.

Mr Speaker, I was in Mulobezi. There is a lot to be done, for example, the road from Kazungula to Mulobezi. It is not only the township roads. The people’s cry is that we work on the district roads. Once there is a window of opportunity in terms of the resource envelope, we just have to move into Mulobezi as well and do the right thing. Mulobezi has been left behind for many years. Before the UPND came into Government, those Zambians you see were just voting because they were told that an airport was being built in Lusaka. The people in Mulobezi would vote based on what they heard was happening in Lusaka.

Now, the CDF has turned the fortunes of Mulobezi. So, looking at the infrastructure in Mulobezi, as the Central Government, we need to work on the road network, including what I saw in Petauke. That is our plan. We must ensure that, once the resource envelope allows, we attend to those road networks.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Eng. Mabenga: Mr Speaker, the people of Mulobezi are very happy with the hon. Minister’s response.

Mr Speaker, Mulobezi has been neglected by successive Governments since the time of the United Nations Independence Party (UNIP). Nothing has been happening. We can now see light at the end of the tunnel.

Mr Speaker, to make matters better for us, the hon. Minister has promised that urban roads will be tarred. For the first time in the history of this country, we will see a tarred road in Mulobezi Constituency. I just want to know how many kilometres will be tarred. Is it 20 km, 10 km, or what?

Mr Mubika: Or 1 km!

Mr Sialubalo: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member of Parliament for Mulobezi for that question.

Mr Speaker, I do not want to speculate. What will determine the kilometres is the resource envelope. I might end up saying that we shall tar 10 km of the road, meanwhile, the resource envelope only allows 20 km. So, the best we can do is to wish for the best, to say, “Mulobezi should get a better share, due to the fact that it has been left behind for so many years.”

Mr Speaker, I have been to constituencies. When I talk of Mulobezi, the people there definitely deserve better than what they have gone through during the past Governments. So, whatever resources will be available within the resource envelope, we have to give Mulobezi a good share as well.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr S. Banda: Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for his clarifications.

Mr Speaker, bituminous roads minimise dust emissions, improve air quality and also reduce accidents. Could the hon. Minister indicate the expected timeframe for the works on the roads to be worked on in Petauke Central.

Mr Sialubalo: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for Petauke Central for that question. I was in Petauke with the hon. Member. We were touring the CDF projects. So, when he talks about the road network, I really understand the situation there. I also visited Kaumbwe Constituency.

Mr Speaker, I do not want to deceive the people of Petauke by giving a timeframe. I have to be very honest. We are going into 2026, and we have already made the Budget for 2026. So, let us remain hopeful that by January, we will have to look at what we have so that we can plan together. As Government Ministers for the New Dawn Administration, we have what is termed as – How do we call it? Doors open?

Mr Sikumba: Open-door policy.

Mr Sialubalo: Yes, we have an open-door policy, where hon. Members of Parliament do not even need to knock on our offices or wait. They just need to walk in, and we will attend to them. So, January is around the corner, we need to meet as we plan for activities for 2026. The hon. Member has been to my office. He needs to come again so that we can look at the resource envelop, together with my technocrats, and see what it will permit. Instead of me giving a specific date or timeframe, I will be deceiving the people.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr S. Banda: Mr Speaker, I just want to know from the hon. Minister, if we are maintaining the same contractor or a new one will come on board once funds are available?

Mr Sialubalo: Mr Speaker, we will follow the tendering process. If the previous contractor, whose contract was terminated, wins the bid, he will definitely be awarded the contract. The due process of tendering will have to be followed. We shall know who will get the contract at that particular time.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mung’andu (Chama South): Mr Speaker, let me congratulate the New Dawn Government …

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mung’andu: … for the work that it has put in, particularly, President Hakainde Hichilema.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mung’andu: Our country has been rated CCC+ in terms of creditworthiness by the standard and poor's credit rating. This rating translates that our country is now considered creditworthy.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mung’andu: Which simply means that investors can give us resources knowing that we have the ability to pay back, unlike before.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mung’andu: It is not a mean achievement. It is something that, as a nation, we should be preoccupied with explaining to the people, as opposed to confusion. I want to congratulate President Hakainde Hichilema and the entire Cabinet.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkandu: Quality!

Mr Mung’andu: Mr Speaker, coming to my question, I want to find out from the hon. Minister, about road maintenance, not only in urban areas but also in rural districts. ‘Hon. Chiwuye’ had asked …

Mr J. Chibuye: It is not Chiwuye iwee. It is Chibuye!

Mr Mung’andu: … whether the road can be made all-weather gravel.

I know, Mr Speaker, that we have bought a number of yellow machines in the constituencies. Does the hon. Minister have an assessment of how many critical township roads are needed in these districts including rural areas like Sinazongwe? I know that Sinazongwe, like Chama South, is in the valley. Does the ministry have the assessments so that as we approach the ministry through the open-door policy, we know that we are dealing with a capable hon. Minister who has all the information at his fingertips?

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Well, that one is a totally new question. I do not know if the hon. Minister would like to answer it. Maybe he can comment because that is a new question altogether.

Mr Sialubalo: Mr Speaker, yes, it is a new question, but I can belabour to respond.

Mr Speaker, constituencies fall under districts. So, our local authority engineers have all the data regarding the township and critical roads in our district. It is just a matter of engaging local authorities. The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development can have information within a day to understand exactly the more critical feeder roads across the country. So, yes, information or data is there. We might not have it today at the ministry, but it is just a matter of a phone call, and all the information can be given.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Dr Mwanza (Kaumbwe): Mr Speaker, do we have a budget line for that in 2026? The hon. Minister explained that he is running an open-door policy and that we should visit his office to discuss the allocation of funds for township roads in Petauke District. Is there a budget line in the 2026 Budget for upgrading roads to bituminous standard in Petauke District? If so, what is the amount?

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: I think that is a new question. Maybe, you can engage the hon. Minister at a later stage, or does the hon. Minister want to comment? That is a new question altogether.

Mr Sialubalo: Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has no budget line for road works. Resources for road networks are under the Road Development Agency (RDA). So, what happens is that the RDA apportions some resources to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development for feeder roads as well as township roads. We get resources from the RDA. So, a specific budget line is not there. We get resources from the RDA because we fall under the same umbrella.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mwambazi (Bwana Mkubwa): Mr Speaker, let me take this opportunity to equally congratulate you for your achievement, as a fellow Independent hon. Member of Parliament. Congratulations to you.

Mr Speaker, let me take this opportunity also to say that I am surprised that the people of Chama South understand issues of credit ratings and …

Mr Mung’andu: Question!

Mr Mwambazi: … Standard & Poor (S&P), not leaving Hon. Mutati and I, who studied accounting under the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), to congratulate the President. Nevertheless, we are grateful to the people of Chama South for congratulating the President for that great achievement.

Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the answers he is providing. The hon. Minister alluded to the fact that Roan Constituency was allocated 4 km of roads to be worked on by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and 8 km will be worked on by the contractor working on the Lusaka/Ndola Dual Carriageway. I want to know why work on the mentioned 8 km has delayed. I understand that the Road Development Agency (RDA) has funds from the escrow account to work on the roads. The same applies to the roads we broke ground for in Bwana Mkubwa Constituency under the RDA. So, why has the contractor delayed to go on site when funds are available?

Mr Sialubalo: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member of Parliament for Bwana Mkubwa for the question.

Mr Speaker, the RDA falls under the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development. So, I cannot tell the truth about the delay in this august House, unless I am permitted to go and engage my hon. Colleague, the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development. Maybe, he can come up with a measured response as to why there is a delay. I can respond only to questions about anything within the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mapani (Namwala): Madam Speaker, may I know whether the ministry can come up with a schedule indicating the districts that will be covered regarding township road works? That way, hon. Members of Parliament will not have to ask questions about roads individually.

Mr Sialubalo: Mr Speaker, yes, it is very possible to come up with a schedule indicating the roads that we feel can be attended to at what point and in which year. You may be aware that as a country, we are just gaining credibility. We have many debts to pay, so a lot of money which should have gone towards working on feeder roads and even township roads is going to servicing debt. The issue is that even when we present such a programme, looking at the competing needs, it might be demoralising for some hon. Members to see that the roads in their constituencies will be worked on in the fourth year, for example. It is very possible to give a schedule to hon. Members.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Order!

_______

MOTION

ADJOURNMENT

The Minister of Defence and Acting Leader of Government Business in the House (Mr Lufuma): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.

Question put and agreed to.

_______

The House adjourned at 1757 hours until 1430 hours on Wednesday, 26^th November, 2025.

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